Breaking: 2023 Plateau APC governorship aspirant, Prof. Dakas withdraws from race

One of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professor Dakas Clement Dakas, Ph.D, SAN has withdrawn from the race.

Dakas who was a former Plateau Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, during Governor Dariye administration said he decided to support charitable causes with the money that he would otherwise have spent on the purchase of the requisite forms.

He stated this in a press statement he personally signed and issued on Monday night in Jos.

“Today, after prayers and deep reflection, I have made an excruciating, but strategic, decision to withdraw from the race for the governorship of our dear State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Against the backdrop of the media frenzy and trending news that I would be purchasing the APC Expression of Interest Form and Nomination Form today, this is obviously a stunning turn of events. Indeed, I travelled to Abuja to purchase the requisite forms today. Additionally, many individuals and groups offered to purchase the forms for me. However, after series of consultations with several critical stakeholders in the Plateau Project, I decided to sacrifice my aspiration in furtherance of our collective resolve to ensure that the leadership recruitment process produces an outcome that is in the overarching interest of our dear State. This is consistent with the fact that in my political odyssey, especially in the context of the governorship race, I have always been of the firm conviction that I am only a channel through which the interest of the good people of Plateau State would be articulated, aggregated, promoted and defended.

“My aspiration to govern our dear State was driven primarily by three profound imperatives: 1. Service Above Self; 2. Impact; and 3. Legacy. Driven by these imperatives, I looked forward to prioritizing and guaranteeing the security and welfare of our people and building the Plateau of our Dreams through trailblazing transformation. Notwithstanding the current dizzying turn of events, I am mindful of, and encouraged by, the fact that the most important office is that of the citizen. Therefore, as citizens, whether or not we are political office holders, this is a task that we must all resolve to accomplish.

“I am in awe and deeply humbled by the outpouring of support for my governorship aspiration across the entire State, anchored on the unwavering belief that I have the competence and integrity to manage our human and material resources in a selfless, solutions-driven and innovative manner, and herald a bold vision for our dear State.

“As angels on assignment, many of you prayed, individually and through chain prayers, without ceasing; many of you fasted; many of you provided financial support; many of you donated campaign offices; many of you contributed campaign materials; many of you devoted your precious time; many of you availed your expertise in diverse areas; many of you availed your political structures; many of you offered wise counsel; many of you put in a good word for me when critical issues were under consideration; many of you risked your friendships and alliances on my account; many of you had restless moments which, sadly, took a toll on your health; many of you had sleepless nights; many of you risked your lives and livelihoods in support and defence of this cause; and many of you dared to speak truth to power on my account. My family and I deeply appreciate your sacrifices and labour of love.

“As a mark of my appreciation and in furtherance of my continuous service to humanity, I have decided to support charitable causes with the money that I would otherwise have spent on the purchase of the requisite forms. As Scripture enjoins us, we must never get tired of doing good.

“To my mentors, benefactors, friends, political associates, teeming supporters and well wishers, we must neither despair nor be despondent. Together, as we chart our next course of action, in spite of the shenanigans, horse-trading and highfalutin antics that sometimes bedevil our politics, let us keep hope alive and renew our commitment to the Plateau Project. As developments unfold, I look forward to constructive and robust discourse with you on how best to, under the circumstances, actualize our vision of a united, secure, peaceful, and prosperous Plateau State.